Listening to God with Pastor Richard

  Read Romans 16:9-16 As you read consider -  What stood out for you in this reading? What is God saying about what He has done, is doing or will do? How does the actions of God affect you and live with others? What questions does the reading bring up for you? Pastor Richard's reflection In verses 1-4 God says through St Paul Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the Lord’s people who are with them.  Greet one another with a holy kiss.  All the churches of Christ send greetings.  In this reading we are encouraged to see that: we are not alone in our ministry we should encourage each other it is good to publicly acknowledge others both close and far whom you are involved in ministry with Some stuff to contemplate: How does Romans 16:9-16 affect how you see God, yourself, and how you see and will interact with others? What does Romans 16:9-16 call you to talk to God (pray) about?  (Thanksgiving, more insight, help, forgiveness.....

Read Romans 16:1-8 As you read consider -  What stood out for you in this reading? What is God saying about what He has done, is doing or will do? How does the actions of God affect you and live with others? What questions does the reading bring up for you? Pastor Richard's reflection In verses 1-4 God says through St Paul I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me. Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. In this reading we are encouraged to see that: to encourage and nurture relationships with other Christians we help others who are serving God and His community we make sacrifices so others may know Jesus and His Gospel Some stuff to contemplate: How does Roma...

Read Romans 15:23-33 As you read consider -  What stood out for you in this reading? What is God saying about what He has done, is doing or will do? How does the actions of God affect you and live with others? What questions does the reading bring up for you? Pastor Richard's reflection In verses 30-33 God says through St Paul I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. Pray that I may be kept safe from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord’s people there,  so that I may come to you with joy, by God’s will, and in your company be refreshed. The God of peace be with you all. Amen.  In this reading we are encouraged to see that: Jesus and His grace is for all people...Jews and Gentiles = all people we are not called to do ministry alone but with the support of others we should aim to bless those who have ble...

Read Romans 15:14-22 As you read consider -  What stood out for you in this reading? What is God saying about what He has done, is doing or will do? How does the actions of God affect you and live with others? What questions does the reading bring up for you? Pastor Richard's reflection In verses 15-16 God says through St Paul Yet I have written you quite boldly on some points to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me  to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. He gave me the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In this reading we are encouraged to see that: To see the goodness and abilities in other believers God's grace be our prime motivator for what we do and how go about life That God's Gospel is for everyone We are called to dedicate our lives in sharing the Gospel of Jesus to all whom we encounter Some stuff to contemplate: How does Ro...

  Read Romans 15:1-13 As you read consider -  What stood out for you in this reading? What is God saying about what He has done, is doing or will do? How does the actions of God affect you and live with others? What questions does the reading bring up for you? Pastor Richard's reflection In verses 7-9 God says through St Paul Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.  For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written: “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles;     I will sing the praises of your name.”[c] In this reading we are encouraged to see that: Our focus in living is not to live for ourselves but for others so they may connect with Jesus This focus comes from Christ's focus in coming to earth to serve and bring blessings to u...

Read Romans 14:11-23 As you read consider -  What stood out for you in this reading? What is God saying about what He has done, is doing or will do? How does the actions of God affect you and live with others? What questions does the reading bring up for you? Pastor Richard's reflection In verses 15-18 God says through St Paul If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil.  For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval. In this reading we are encouraged to see that: Christ died for all people salvation is not dependent on our actions however how we live should be to bless and encourage others in their relationship with Jesus because Christ l...